Health News

Here’s a few interesting studies I’ve recently found and saved until we launched our new products. But today I’ll just focus on three of the ingredients.

The products that these studies will relate to are: Turmeric Plus, Vitamin D and Mega Multi Probiotic!

Curcumin may have a Parkinson’s promise!
Intake of the Turmeric spice curcumin could help to reduce clumping of proteins associated with the onset of Parkinson’s disease, according to new research.

The study – published in The Journal of Biological Chemistry – reports that the compound found in the spice Turmeric could one day be effective in preventing or reducing Parkinson’s by blocking the clumping (aggregation) action of proteins involved in the disease. The researchers from Michigan State University, found that the spice prevented aggregation of a protein known as alpha-synuclein by forcing it to scatter.

“Our research shows that curcumin can rescue proteins from aggregation, the first steps of many debilitating diseases,” said Professor Lisa Lapidus, who co-authored the paper.

Curcumin, the natural pigment that gives the spice Turmeric its yellow colour, has increasingly come under the scientific spotlight in recent years, with studies investigating its potential health benefits. As a result, curcumin has been linked to a range of health benefits, including potential protection against prostate cancer, Alzheimer’s heart failure, diabetes, arthritic and IBS.

Curcumin may slow tumour growth!
Intake of curcumin at ‘physiologically attainable’ doses could help slow the development of prostate cancers by jamming receptors linked to cancer tumour growth, say researchers.

The study – published in Cancer Research – reports that isoflavones found in Turmeric could help slow the growth of tumours in prostate cancers by blocking the receptors of certain molecular pathways that have been shown to play a role in the development of prostate cancers.

By blocking the receptors p300 and CPB (or CREB1-binding protein), the team found that the spice extract was “a potent inhibitor of both cell cycle and survival in prostate cancer cells.” Dr Karen Knudsen said the findings may also have implications beyond prostate cancer, “since p300 and CBP are important in other malignancies, like breast cancer.”

Vitamin D supplements may help you live longer!
Vitamin D supplements may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes and boost survival for older people, suggests a new analysis.

The greatest benefits of the supplements were observed in people with vitamin D deficiency, researchers from the University of Kansas report in the American Journal of Cardiology. The findings could have implications for current guidelines, said the researchers, since supplements providing at least 400iu per day may be needed to avoid deficiency.

“Because vitamin D deficiency is widespread, strategies directed at population-based supplementation programmes could prove beneficial,” wrote the researchers.

Vitamin D refers to two biologically inactive precursors – D3, also known as cholecalciferol, and D2, also known as ergocalciferol. Both D3 and D2 precursors are transformed in the liver and kidneys into 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), the non-active ‘storage’ form, and 1.25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1.25(OH)2D), the biologically active form that is tightly controlled by the body.

While our bodies do manufacture vitamin D on exposure to sunshine, the levels in some northern countries are so weak during winter months that our body makes no vitamin D at all, meaning that dietary supplements and fortified foods are seen by many as the best way to boost intakes of vitamin D. Vitamin D deficiency in adults is reported to cause osteopenia, osteoporosis, muscle weakness, fractures, common cancers, auto-immune diseases, infectious diseases and cardiovascuar diseases. There is now also more evidence that the vitamin may reduce the incidence of several types of cancer and type-1 and -2 diabetes.

Probiotic intake linked to fewer birth complications!
Regular consumption of probiotic formulations are associated with a 20% reduction in the risk of pre-eclampsia, suggests new data from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health.

The potential benefits were even more pronounced when researchers studied severe pre-eclampsia, with daily intakes associated with a 39% reduction, according to results published in the American Journal of Epidemiology.

“This large observational study indicates an independent protective association between intake or probiotic products and pre-elampsia, especially when severe, suggesting that probiotics might specifically ‘target’ and modify the type of inflammation underlying severe pre-eclampsia,” wrote the authors, led by Dr Anne Lise Brantsaeter.

The Norwegian researchers analysed data from 33,399 women participating in the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort study. Results showed that a daily intake of strong probiotics was associated with a 20% reduced risk of pre-eclampsia, with even more pronounced effects for severe pre-eclampsia, showing a 39% reduced risk!

So, that’s four great studies across three great products, I hope you found this interesting!

Sources:
Nutra Ingredients.com: http://www.nutraingredients.com/content/view/print/623140.html
Nutra Ingredients.com: http://www.nutraingredients.com/content/view/print/612115.html
Nutra Ingredients.com: http://www.nutraingredients.com/content/view/print/624036.html
Nutra Ingredients.com: http://www.nutraingredients.com/Research/Probiotic-intake-linked-to-fewer-birth-complications.html